Born in Vienna, Paul Frankl came to the United States in 1914 as part of a wave of Central European design luminaries — among them Kem Weber, Rudolph Schindler, and Richard Neutra — who were drawn by the energy and optimism of the American scene. Prolific and protean, Frankl would go on to design furnishings that are emblematic of nearly every key stylistic chord in American modernism, from the streamlined Art Deco to free-form organic shapes.
Frankl's Skyscraper cabinets, bookcases and more — introduced in 1924 — are his earliest and best-known designs (and the work by which he is most often represented in institutions, such as New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art). Tall and narrow, the pieces have staggered shelves meant to mimic the setbacks of Manhattan office towers. A later visually expressive line — the Speed chairs and sofas, which have a raked profile suggesting motion — links Frankl to Donald Deskey, Raymond Loewy and other creators of Streamline Moderne design.
Frankl moved to Los Angeles in 1934 and luxuriated in the climate and lifestyle. His designs became lighter and simpler and found an audience among the Hollywood élite. (Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant and Fred Astaire were clients.) Fascinated by Asian arts, Frankl produced numerous pieces — tabletops with edges that curve upward; sofas, chairs and other seating with rattan frames — inspired by Chinese and Japanese forms and materials. In the 1940s, Frankl became one of the first designers to incorporate free-form, biomorphic shapes in his work, as well as novel upholstery fabrics such as denim and nubby wool.
Frankl biographer Christopher Long argues that the designer’s easy, elegant aesthetic had an enormous influence on movie set design. As the furniture below attests, Paul Frankl’s work is ready for its close-up.
Find vintage Paul Frankl tables, dining chairs, case pieces and storage cabinets on 1stDibs.
Expertly Restored - Paul Frankl Cork Side Table for Johnson Furniture
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Co.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials: Cork, Mahogany, Patinated Brass ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we...
Brass
Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Mid Century Cork and Mahogany Side End Table
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Mid Century Cork and Mahogany Side End Table This side table measures: 25.25 wide x 29 deep x 24.25 inches high Excellent Vintage Condition - Cork...
Mahogany, Cork
Paul Frankl Style Tripod Dark Walnut End Side Table
By Paul Frankl
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Single round top dark walnut/espresso finish wood side or end table. Solid wood construction table resting on gently curved tripod legs.
Wood
$3,040Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pr. Cork Top Side Tables by Paul Frankl Johnson Furniture John Stuart c. 1940s
By John Stuart, Paul Frankl
Located in New York, NY
Chic pair of cork top side, or end tables, designed by Paul Frankl, made by Johnson Furniture, retailed by John Stuart circa 1940's. The tables feature thick rectangular cork tops, w...
Brass
Paul Frankl Cork Top Two-Tier Side Table for Johnson Furniture
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This striking two-tier side table by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture is a perfect example of his innovative approach to modern design. Featuring a natural cork top, it offers a bea...
Mahogany, Cork
Paul Frankl Two-Tier Side Table for Brown Saltman
By Paul Frankl, Brown Saltman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Paul Frankl two-tiered occasional table by Brown Saltman of California, circa 1950. Solidly crafted and elegantly designed. Signed and marked. We have not refinished or restore...
Maple
Chic Black and White Modernist Side Table by Paul Frankl
By Paul Frankl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Perfectly proportioned side table by Paul Frankl. Black painted cork top resting on a white painted hardwood frame with a practical lower shelf. Also great as a tall small coffee tab...
Hardwood, Paint, Cork
Paul Frankl Cork Side Table for Johnson Furniture Co.
By Johnson Furniture Co., Paul Frankl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Paul Frankl’s cork furniture pieces are among his longest-lasting contributions to American modernism and are highly sought after to this day. This side table produced by Johnson Fur...
Brass
Restored Stick Leg Rattan Side Table with Two-Tier Wood Tops
By Paul Frankl
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Stick leg rattan side table with two-tier wood tops, circa 1950. Designed in the manner of Paul Frankl. Restored to new for you. We only purchase and sell only the best and finest...
Wicker, Rattan, Formica
$12,500 / set
Cork Top End Tables by Paul Frankl
By Paul Frankl
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of cork top end tables by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture, ca' 1950's. Triangular top with protruding lower shelf these are modern and organic. Rare to find as a pair.
Maple, Cork
$1,593Sale Price / set|35% Off
Paul Frankl-Style Stacked Rattan Side Tables with Mahogany Top, Pair, circa 1930
By Paul Frankl
Located in Van Nuys, CA
These beautifully restored Paul T Frankl style two-tier stacked rattan end tables blend style and vintage charm with modern comfort, with cut-out sides and mahogany wood tops. Both a...
Rattan, Mahogany
Paul Frankl Amoeba Cork Card Table for Johnson Furniture Co.
By Johnson Furniture Co., Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Paul Frankl’s cork furniture pieces are among his longest-lasting contributions to American modernism and are highly sought after to this day. This amoeba card table produced by John...
Cork, Mahogany
$2,242Sale Price|35% Off
Restored Rattan & Mahogany 2-Tier Corner Table by Paul Frankl, 1940
By Paul Frankl
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Restored Large 30" rattan and mahogany 2-tiered side corner table or desk. 1940, United States We only purchase and sell only the best and finest rattan furniture made by the best ...
Rattan, Mahogany
$9,500 / set
Pair of Elegant Paul Frankl Cork Side Tables
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Elegant Paul Frankl Cork Side Tables
Cork
Paul Frankl Corner Table, Rosewood Stained Maple, Art Deco, USA, 1950
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Camden, ME
Paul Frankl corner table for Johnson Furniture Company of Grand Rapids, Michigan from the 1950s. The frame is a rosewood stained maple with clear lacquered cork tops. Restored in ver...
Brass
Mid Century Cork Top Side or End Table by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Co.
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Co.
Located in Miami, FL
Cork top side or end table designed by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Company, rendered in lacquered cork for the top with mahogany legs and brass sabot feet. Marks to finish on ...
Brass
$1,592Sale Price|35% Off
Paul Frankl Black Stepped Side Table for Brown Saltman
By Paul Frankl, Brown Saltman
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This museum-quality table designed by Paul Frankl for Brown-Saltman represents a departure from Paul Frankl's previously established "skyscraper" design. This elegant glass-top side ...
Glass, Oak
Paul Frankl End Table, Cork Top on Mahogany Frame, Circa 1955, Vintage
By Paul Frankl
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-Century rectangular end / side table with a partially white painted cork top resting on a mahogany frame with a lower rectangular stretcher shelf and four square legs. (PAUL FRAN...
Mahogany
Pair of Paul Frankl Mid-Century Modern End Tables
By Paul Frankl
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Paul Frankl black cerused Mid-Century modern end tables with stepped motif and smoke glass top.
Wood, Smoked Glass
Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Cork Top Two Drawer Sqaure End Table Stand
By Paul Frankl
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern blond birch square side end table by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture. Excellent original condition.
Birch, Cork
$3,600Sale Price|47% Off
Paul T. Frankl Cork and Mahogany Occasional Table, Model 5026, 1948, USA
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Paul T. Frankl Cork and Mahogany Occasional table, Model 5026, Johnson Furniture Company, USA, 1948-1952. 22 h × 30 w × 20 d in. Stenciled manufacturer's mark to underside '5026 #280...
Cork, Mahogany
Mid Century Modern Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Cork Top Nightstand
By Johnson Furniture Co., Paul Frankl
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid Century Modern Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Cork Top Two Drawer End Table / Nightstand This amazing cork top nightstand/side table is a great piece to bring together any ty...
Brass
Cork-Topped End Table by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Co.
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Co.
Located in Sagaponack, NY
Tapered dowel legs support a bleached mahogany two (2) drawer end table with a cork top, having hammered brass round pulls.
Brass
Paul Frankl Lacquered Cork Top Dark Mahogany Table
By Paul Frankl
Located in Westport, CT
Rare Paul Frankl crème lacquered cork top dark mahogany square designed base. In exceptional condition and nice size.
Cork, Mahogany
Paul Frankl Mid-Century Square Cork Top Coffee Table, Vintage USA, 36
By Paul Frankl
Located in Queens, NY
American mid-century square cocktail / coffee table with a cork top and cork veneer, resting on four squared legs. (PAUL FRANKL)
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Bleached Walnut Cork Tops Paul Frankl End Side Tables MINT!
By John Stuart Inc., Paul Frankl
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern Bleached Walnut Cork Tops Paul Frankl Two Drawers End Side Tables MINT!.
Walnut, Cork
$5,830 / set
H 29 in W 72 in D 42 in
Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Mahogany and White Cork Dining Set, Set of 5
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer a timeless dining set designed by Paul Frankl for The Johnson Furniture Company, circa the 1940s. Back in the day, Johnson company in Grand Rapids, Michigan was one of the largest furniture companies in the United States. In the early 1950s, Paul Frankl produced several lines for the furniture company, among them the “Contemporary” line, made from exquisite hardwoods with cork counter tops, and chairs with cutout backs that mimicked women’s fashions of the day. This complete dining set...
Mahogany, Cork
$7,040Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 23.5 in W 24 in D 24 in
Pair of Paul Frankl Cork Top Nightstands or End Tables in Dark Walnut and Ivory
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in Saint Louis, MO
A Mid-Century Modern pair of Paul Frankl cork top mahogany nightstands or end tables professionally restored to their original finishes - dark walnut mahogany stain and ivory lacquer...
Brass
$750
H 20 in W 25.5 in D 25.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Octagonal Two Tiered Side End Table Adrian Pearsall for Lane
By Lane Furniture, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Sculptural Mid-Century Modern octagonal side, end or drinks table by Lane Furniture. Sleek and stylish and very unique. Features gorgeous walnut wood frame with a beautiful parquetry...
Wood
Paul Frankl Ebony Nightstands for John Stuart
By Paul Frankl, John Stuart
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Extremely rare Paul Frankl nightstands for John Stuart. Made of mahogany with espresso satin finish. USA, circa 1940. Each nightstand features a pull-down top drawer with two additio...
Birch, Maple
$2,800 / set
H 15.75 in Dm 21 in
Pair of Hexagonal 'Domino' Side Tables by John Keal for Brown-Saltman
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Occasional hexagonal tables by John Keal for Brown-Saltman. Stamped and labeled. Practical and versatile.
Glass, Wood
$1,760Sale Price|20% Off
H 22.5 in W 28 in D 24 in
Milo Baughman Style Burl Walnut Parson Side End Table
By Milo Baughman
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Mid-century modernist burl wood Parsons side/end table in the style of Milo Baughman. The table features a squared-off look with a beautiful deep walnut burl wood veneer. We love usi...
Burl
Pair of Understated Walnut End Tables by Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of chic understated polished walnut end /side tables by Brown Saltman.
Walnut
$4,595
H 14.25 in W 48 in D 24 in
Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Mid Century Mahogany and Cork Coffee Table
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Co.
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Mid Century Mahogany and Cork Coffee Table This coffee table measures: 48 wide x 24 deep x 14.25 inches high Fair Vintage Condition - Table has He...
Mahogany, Cork
Coffee Table / Bench by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Company
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful coffee table model #5004 designed by Paul T. Frankl, 1948 for Johnson Furniture Company. Constructed from mahogany and cork, this Asian inspired coffee table can also funct...
Mahogany, Cork
$8,800
H 14.25 in W 72 in D 18.25 in
Paul Frankl Brazilian Rosewood Coffee Table Model 5003 for Johnson Furniture 50s
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Co.
Located in Dallas, TX
Exceptional Paul Frankl model #5003 coffee table produced by the Johnson Furniture Company of Grand Rapids, Michigan, circa 1950s. This striking example is executed in richly figured...
Wood
Edward Wormley Side Table for Dunbar in manner of Parzinger & Paul Frankl
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley side table for Dunbar. The scarcer form with two-tier tabletop. Please request additional photos
Wood
$1,593Sale Price / set|35% Off
H 22 in W 14.5 in D 35 in
Paul Frankl-Style Stacked Rattan Side Tables with Mahogany Top, Pair, circa 1930
By Paul Frankl
Located in Van Nuys, CA
These beautifully restored Paul T Frankl style two-tier stacked rattan end tables blend style and vintage charm with modern comfort, with cut-out sides and mahogany wood tops. Both a...
Rattan, Mahogany
Paul Frankl Side Table Rattan Bamboo Mid Century Modern c1960s MINT
By Paul Frankl
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Paul Frankl Side Table Rattan Bamboo Mid Century Modern c1960s MINT
Rattan
Paul Frankl Wood & Glass Side Tables, Pair of 2
By Brown Saltman, Paul Frankl
Located in Alhambra, CA
Pair of "Stepped" side tables by Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman. Classic Frankl Machine Age design built from solid oak. Newly refinished in walnut with gloss laquer. Brand new bronz...
Cut Glass, Oak
Paul Frankl Cork Top Two-Tier Side Table for Johnson Furniture
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This striking two-tier side table by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture is a perfect example of his innovative approach to modern design. Featuring a natural cork top, it offers a bea...
Mahogany, Cork
Two-Tiered Occasional Table by Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, The Standard Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in San Francisco, CA
A fully restored maple two-tiered occasional table designed by Paul Frankly and produced by Brown Saltman, California. Three curved legs support the upper tiers. Makers mark is stam...
Maple
Paul Frankl Side Table in Oak with Sculptural Base 1950s
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Co.
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Sculptural side table in dark oak with zig zag base by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture, American 1950's. This table has great presence and would be a beautiful addition to any int...
Oak
Pair of Paul Frankl Cork Side Tables for Johnson Furniture Co.
By Johnson Furniture Co., Paul Frankl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Paul Frankl’s cork furniture pieces are among his longest-lasting contributions to American modernism and are highly sought after to this day. This pair of side tables produced by Jo...
Brass
Sold
H 16 in W 18 in D 18 in
Expertly Restored - Paul Frankl Cork Top Side Table for Johnson Furniture
By Johnson Furniture Co., Paul Frankl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials Cork, Mahogany, Patinated Brass ________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journe...
Brass
Sold
H 23 in W 28 in D 15.5 in
Newly Refinished -Mid-Century Modern Side Table by Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, Paul Frankl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Newly Refinished - Mid-Century Modern Sculpted Side Table by Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman Year: c.1950’s With over 15 years of experience, our workshop has followed a careful pro...
Walnut
1930s Art Deco Paul Frankl End Table
By Brown Saltman, Paul Frankl
Located in Burbank, CA
Vintage original Art Deco side table for sale. Designed by Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman in the late 1930's, and has been professionally refinishe...
Oak
Sold
H 21 in W 30 in D 18 in
Pair of Paul T. Frankl for Johnson Cork Top Two Tier Side or End Tables, 1950s
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Camden, ME
A pair of mahogany side or end tables with cork tops designed by Paul Frankl for the Johnson Furniture Company in the 1950s. The tables are in excellent vintage condition and were r...
Mahogany, Cork, Lacquer
Large Paul Frankl Lamp Table with Cork
By Paul Frankl
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A classic cork top side table or occasional table by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture, USA, ca' 1940's. Two tier design with a stylized greek key base. The table is very heavy.
Maple, Cork
Sold
H 16.13 in W 17.75 in D 17.75 in
Paul Frankl Cork Side Tables for Johnson Furniture Company, circa 1950
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Paul Frankl cork side tables for Johnson Furniture Company, circa 1950.
Brass